Viola sororia

Widespread across eastern and central North America, from Quebec to Florida and west to Texas, Viola sororia is a rhizomatous perennial violet of open woodland, damp meadows and streambanks. The heart-shaped, hairy, toothed leaves surround solitary, five-petalled flowers with a spurred lower petal, coloured blue, violet or lilac, occasionally white. Flowering occurs in spring, from April to May. It grows in part shade, in cool, humus-rich soil, and self-seeds readily.